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Verizon Business has introduced Verizon Business Assistant, a generative AI-powered text messaging solution designed to help small businesses automate customer interactions. This tool provides instant responses to frequently asked questions, learns from interactions, and connects customers to live employees when needed. AI-Powered Customer Support Verizon Business Assistant enables small businesses to enhance customer engagement by automating responses via text messaging 24/7. According to Verizon Business, this tool helps businesses save time, serve more customers efficiently, and gain valuable insights into customer needs and preferences. “Small business owners are co…

Verizon Business has introduced My Biz Plan, a new customizable wireless offering for small and midsized business (SMB) customers, now available nationwide. The new plan allows business owners to tailor wireless services based on their needs, marking a shift away from traditional carrier packages. Unlike the “good, better, best” options often offered by wireless carriers, My Biz Plan provides a single base plan with unlimited calling, data, and texting. Customers can then add business-specific features such as international connectivity and productivity tools, and make adjustments as needs change. Verizon highlights this plan as a flexible solution designed to offer more…

Walmart has unveiled Wally, a generative AI-powered assistant developed to enhance the productivity of its merchants by automating key merchandising tasks. The company announced the tool on March 18, describing it as a “productivity multiplier” designed to streamline data analysis, operational support, and reporting processes for Walmart’s sourcing teams. According to the company, Wally was built using Walmart’s proprietary data and is aimed at eliminating the manual effort traditionally required for core merchandising functions. Tasks such as data entry and analysis, root cause identification for product performance, advanced calculations, and how-to support are now han…

Wedding websites have become essential for modern couples planning their special day. These platforms offer a unique and personalized touch to the wedding experience, allowing couples to showcase their love story, share important details with guests, and create a central hub for all wedding-related information. In this article, we explore some inspiring wedding website examples that demonstrate the power of these online platforms in creating memorable and engaging wedding celebrations. Why You Need a Wedding Website A wedding website is essential in today’s digital age, offering convenience and seamless information sharing. It simplifies RSVP management, provides a ce…

For years, it’s been the commonly held belief that small businesses are the backbone of the U.S. economy. Has that changed? If so, what’s changing it or what’s threatening to make that commonly held belief to maybe not as true as it once was? This week, our expert panel from Small Biz Breakdown share their thoughts on the idea that small businesses are still the backbone of the U.S. economy. Check out their thoughts on that and so much more in this week’s episode of Small Biz Breakdown … Small Business News Roundup – February 16, 2025 Wildfires in Los Angeles Disrupt Employment and Pay, ADP Data Shows The Palisades and Eaton fires that swept through Los Angeles in Ja…

On this week’s episode of Small Biz Breakdown, our expert panel of six discusses the impact of agentic AI on businesses. Watch the back-and-forth between our panel on how many decisions agentic AI will make in the future compared to what it’s making (or not making) now. The panel also discusses recent economic data and what it means for small businesses. Check out those discussions and more in this week’s episode of Small Biz Breakdown: Small Business News Roundup – Feb. 9, 2025 Here’s a look at the top stories LexisNexis Enhances Nexis+ AI with Conversational Search for Faster, Transparent Business Intelligence LexisNexis Legal & Professional has introduced an…

A West Virginia man has been sentenced to three years in prison for failing to pay employment taxes withheld from his employees’ wages and for obstructing the IRS’ efforts to collect those taxes, the Department of Justice announced. According to court documents and evidence presented in court, Christopher Jason Smyth operated Stat EMS LLC, an ambulance service in Pineville, from 2012 through part of 2017. Prior to founding Stat EMS, Smyth operated another ambulance business that accrued millions of dollars in employment tax liabilities before filing for bankruptcy. He then created Stat EMS under a nominee owner while continuing to run the business in the same manner as b…

A small business audit doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be dealing with the Internal Revenue Service. Small business owners can conduct internal audits on an annual basis. Either way, the audit process involves looking at accounting records and tax return numbers. The idea is to make sure your financial data is correct, and that it’s in line with tax laws. What is a Small Business Audit? This process involves reviewing the tax filings and financial records of small businesses to ensure accuracy. Both internal and external auditors examine the accounting books and financial statements. Keep in mind you need to report things like a foreign bank account to the IRS. Why d…

A Master Franchise happens when an investor goes all in. These franchisees pay big money to develop business opportunities in a specific territory. They recruit new franchisees, train them, and offer support. Master franchise opportunities cover a number of new businesses over a specific period. Here’s some more good information on this franchising opportunity. What Is a Master Franchise Company? A Master Franchise Company, often known as a Master Franchisee, is a firm or individual that purchases the rights to sub-franchise within a certain territory. Essentially, they act as a mini-franchisor for a specific region, territory, or country. This model allows the primary …

Ever heard the term “recession?” Chances are, your definition is quite different from what economists actually mean when they use the word. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what a recession is and explore some of the reasons why this economic decline happens. What Does Recession Mean? A recession is a decline in economic activity spread across the economy, lasting more than a few months. Recessions are characterized by a drop in gross domestic product, higher unemployment, and falling prices in financial markets. In the United States, a recession is typically defined as two consecutive quarters of negative economic growth. What Causes a Recession? There isn’…

What is a virtual assistant? Who is hiring them? Why does a business owner need one? Becoming a Virtual Assistant is a great fit for an entrepreneur with excellent organizational skills and tech-savvy. In this article, we’ll detail the key skills necessary for a virtual assistant job, the types of businesses that need virtual assistants, and the pathways you can take to become a virtual assistant. What is a Virtual Assistant? A virtual assistant is a professional who assists businesses with a wide range of tasks while communicating and handling their work remotely. They can serve a huge range of businesses and organizations, including the following: Entrepreneurs and …

A zoning map shows the acceptable uses for property in a city or other area. Zoning information on these maps usually tells which areas are zoned for residential and/or commercial use. What Is a Zoning Map? These are an important part of urban planning. Cities, municipalities, and other types of government divide the property up into land-use zones. A city using this type of ordinance can have several zoning districts like commercial, residential, agricultural, and industrial. Zoning maps need to show clear boundaries. Read on to find out more about this subject. And remember that Google Translate can help you with the right language. There are 108 different ones to cho…

What is accounting? In this article, we’ll explain how to get started with an accounting system for your small business. You’ll also learn about accounting, from basic definitions of the basic types to practical applications. A small business owner must maintain records of financial transactions. What’s more, that small business owner must achieve an understanding of how the business transactions fit into the big picture of revenue and expenses. This is where a strong understanding of accounting principles becomes so important. The Basics of Accounting Accounting basics include these elements: Assets: Resources owned by the business, such as cash, inventory, equipment…

“What is an Airbnb?” many ask. Airbnb is an online platform that allows individuals to rent out spaces ranging from a spare room to an entire home. Coined from “air bed and breakfast,” it was launched in San Francisco. Currently, millions of hosts and guests globally interact through these distinctive accommodations. What Is an Airbnb? Airbnb is a prominent player in the burgeoning sharing economy, where individuals share resources, often facilitated by digital platforms. Instead of booking hotels, travelers can use Airbnb to find accommodations in private homes, apartments, or unique locations offered by hosts around the world. An Airbnb is a listing on this platform.…

The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa category in the United States, allowing U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations temporarily. These occupations typically require specialized knowledge and skills, often in fields such as technology, science, engineering, mathematics, and other related areas. Here, we’ll go over what is an H1B visa and all of the H-1B visa guidelines that small business owners should know before utilizing this option. Understanding the H1B Visa The H-1B visa is a nonimmigrant visa category established by the United States to allow U.S. employers to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations. These occupations typically req…

What is an NFT? Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT) are digital assets such as collectibles, gaming, art, and virtual assets that are exchanged over blockchain platforms such as Ethereum, OpenSea, Rarible, Axie Marketplace, or NBA Top Shot Marketplace and come with their digital signature that designate ownership of the asset. As NFTs gain popularity, creators, businesses, and celebrities are increasingly buying and selling them to explore new avenues for brand commercialization and revenue generation through NFT collections. What Exactly is an NFT? Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT) are interchangeable digital assets traded over the internet. NFTs are generated and traded in cryptocurre…

What is Business Personal Property Insurance? In today’s competitive business landscape, every asset, no matter how big or small, plays a pivotal role in operations and growth. Hence, protecting these assets from unforeseen events is of utmost importance. Business Personal Property (BPP) Insurance does just that by providing coverage for a wide range of tangible items essential for daily operations. What is Property Insurance for a Business? Business personal property (BPP) is defined as inventory you can move that your business owns. A business owner policy (BOP) is umbrella coverage that includes insurance for your property. These generally cover the structures and pe…

You should buy small business renters insurance if you rent an office space or another type to run your enterprise. This kind of small business insurance protects your operations and team and covers property damage. What is Business Renters Insurance? A business owner can get this insurance coverage through a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP). These combine three different types of insurance. General Liability Commercial Property Insurance Business Income Insurance Protect your business even if you’re renting a space because BOPs cover commercial property coverage. A small business gets financial protection from lawsuits, theft, and fire. Plus, lost income if the property…

Hackers use clickjacking to fool people into downloading malware or revealing confidential information. There’s usually a hidden frame over an innocuous web page. The malicious invisible frame gets activated when users click on the web page. Sensitive data can be stolen and accessed, resulting in reputational and financial harm for small businesses. Additionally, there are penalties associated with data protection laws such as The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Implementing a content security policy frame offers some effective safeguards. What is Clickjacking? One common clickjacking technique includes the use of a decoy button or link. The user thinks the…

Cold calling remains a valuable tool for small businesses, offering a direct and personal way to reach potential customers. Despite the rise of digital marketing, the human touch of a phone call can effectively build relationships and generate leads. For small businesses, cold calling can be a cost-effective way to expand their customer base, introduce new products or services, and gather market feedback. When executed with research and a clear strategy, it can open doors to new opportunities and growth. What is Cold Calling? Cold calling uses unsolicited phone calls to potential customers. It’s different from warm calling, which involves contacting customers with prior…

This type of engagement speaks to the interaction between readers, social media posts, videos, blog articles, and more. It takes different forms, like click-through rates, time spent on a page, comments, shares, and likes. If done right, it reaches its target audience, increases brand awareness, and leads to conversions and sales. Defining Content Engagement Engaging content is pivotal for small businesses looking to harness the power of digital platforms to reach their target audience and achieve their marketing goals. It’s not just about putting information out there; it’s about creating content that resonates with the audience, encourages interaction, and ultimatel…

Cost accounting is about reporting all of the fixed and variable costs involved in producing something. It corrals in numbers like overhead costs, materials, and labor. And others. It gives your small business a solid framework to plan with. And it shows your enterprise what’s working and profitable and what needs to be tweaked. What Exactly is Cost Accounting? Cost accounting involves several different metrics. It’s about cost control to increase profits. By looking at numbers like marginal cost versus standard costs to name a few. Businesses put the pieces together for a cost volume profit analysis that provides a cost accounting system tracking production. It trac…

Understanding the cost of goods sold (COGS) is essential for businesses. It plays a significant role in decisions related to inventory, pricing, and more. But what does it really mean? This article explains what COGS is, how to calculate it, and other important information you should be aware of. What is Cost of Goods Sold? Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) is a critical financial metric for businesses. It directly reflects the cost of producing the goods or services a company sells. Here is an expanded explanation: Definition: The cost of goods sold (COGS) refers to the direct expenses incurred in the production of goods that a company sells. This encompasses the costs of …